Page 8 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

English - II

Notes 1.1.1 Subject and Predicate
Every sentence is made up of two parts, the Subject and the Predicate. The Subject is the word or
words about which something is said. The Predicate is the word or words which says or say something
about the subject. For example, Ritika is well-versed in the art of painting.
In the above sentence Ritika is the Subject and the rest portion “ is well-versed in the art of painting is
Predicate.
Read the following sentences:
Subjects Predicates
1. The boys fly kites.
2. The horse runs fast.
3. We have won the cricket match.
4. Rishi met with a serious accident.
The subject of a sentence generally comes first; but sometimes it may be put after the predicate to
make the sentence more emphatic ; as,
1. Sweet are the uses of adversity.
2. Bare-footed came the beggar-maid.
A sentence may consist of a single word; as—Run, Speak.
Here Run means you run and speak means you speak. In such sentences the subject you is understood.
Let’s practice—
I. Pick out the Subject and the Predicate in the following sentences:
1. India wants peace in the world.
2. Birth and learning do not make one a Brahmin.
3. Happy is the contented man.
4. Did she not sing a sweet song?
5. Never back-bite others.
1.1.2 Clauses
Look at the examples:
These are clauses These are not clauses
Ecology is a science to protect the environment
Because pollution causes cancer after working all day
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. A clause is a group of words that contains at least
a subject ( noun phrase ) and a finite verb. While the subject is usually a noun phrase, other kinds
of phrases (such as gerund phrases) work as well, and some languages allow subjects to be omitted.
There are two types of clauses: independent and subordinate (dependent). An independent clause
demonstrates a complete thought; it is a complete sentence: for example, I am sad. A subordinate
clause is not a complete sentence: for example, because I have no friends.
Types of Clauses
1. Independent clauses.
An Independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can
stand alone as a sentence by itself. An independent clause is formed with-
Subject + verb (+complement)
For examples:
Students normally spend four years in college.
I will declare my monitor now, but I may change it later.
Many international students experience culture shock when they come to the United States.

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